Protests at Islami Bank amid S Alam dispute
A group identifying itself as the “Islami Bank Victims Customer Coordination Council” staged a counter-programme on Sunday in front of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL), following an earlier human chain organised at the same location by dismissed officials from six banks, including Islami Bank.
Although the dismissed employees had left the area before the customers’ pre-announced programme began at around 12:30pm, the sequence of events contributed to a tense atmosphere in the area.
Earlier in the day, from around 10:00am, several thousand dismissed employees from six banks associated with the S Alam Group gathered outside the bank.
A significant number of participants were reportedly from the Patiya area of Chattogram.
Addressing the gathering, Nurun Nabi, president of the council, announced a five-point set of demands along with a 15-day programme.
The demands include the immediate arrest of individuals accused of major financial misconduct, including those linked to S Alam Group, and the confiscation of their domestic assets.
The council also called for efforts to trace and repatriate funds allegedly transferred abroad.
Secondly, the council demanded the repeal of Section 18/A of the Bank Resolution Act, which it claims allows for the rehabilitation of individuals involved in financial irregularities.
Thirdly, the council stated that the government would bear responsibility for any consequences if groups allegedly associated with S Alam Group, including what it referred to as the “Patiya Bahini”, are allowed to regroup or exert pressure.
Fourthly, it called for ensuring that no group accused of involvement in forceful takeovers of banks is allowed to re-enter or influence banking institutions.
Fifthly, the council demanded that ownership of the bank be restored to what it described as its legitimate owners, alleging that control had previously been transferred through political influence.
As part of its announced programme, the council plans to distribute leaflets to build public awareness, expand campaigns across social media platforms, and carry out grassroots outreach targeting unemployed youth and small traders.
It stated that any recovered funds should be used to support employment generation.
The council also called for identifying and documenting individuals allegedly linked to the reported financial irregularities — including directors, bank officials, government personnel and members of law enforcement — and for such information to be published through media and online platforms.
The 15-day programme is set to include human chains, meetings and seminars at district and upazila levels, with a focus on engaging small traders and depositors.
